2021-2022 Cavaliers General Discussion: Trade Deadline Edition

[Heat Check]

We need more shooting. It has to be said again and again.

When just one guy who can actually hit the broad side of the barn goes down, we're suddenly trotting out lineups with THREE non-shooters. That's a no-no in the modern NBA. It happened against the Mavs with Cedi out, and while we had what was essentially a perfect game by the guys who were available, the cracks were showing.

Rubio, Okoro, Mobley, Stevens and Allen cannot be counted on in any way to make shots currently. That's a lot to make up for Lauri, Love and Garland. And Darius has been less than stellar lately in that department himself.

 

[FrontPageNews]

We need more shooting. It has to be said again and again.

When just one guy who can actually hit the broad side of the barn goes down, we're suddenly trotting out lineups with THREE non-shooters. That's a no-no in the modern NBA. It happened against the Mavs with Cedi out, and while we had what was essentially a perfect game by the guys who were available, the cracks were showing.

Rubio, Okoro, Mobley, Stevens and Allen cannot be counted on in any way to make shots currently. That's a lot to make up for Lauri, Love and Garland. And Darius has been less than stellar lately in that department himself.

I don’t think that can be addressed this season unless we do some major trading.

 

[shoes22]

I don’t think that can be addressed this season unless we do some major trading.

Does Sexton have trade value while injured? Probably not right?

 

[Prof123]

I agree with all of that except the part about Laurie bringing us what Sexton did. They have completely different games. We don't have anyone who can do what Sexton does, namely break down a defense and get off a good shot against anyone. Offensively, Laurie gives us what Love used to give -- a big man who can space the floor. If Sexton can learn to play within the offense and pick his spots (and early indications this year were that he was getting there), then our offense becomes even more dangerous. Right now, we have a good regular-season club. But in the playoffs, where defensive intensity picks up, there will be more moments when we will need the type of offense Sexton can provide. He just has to buy in to the team we have and be willing to play his role.

 

[Heat Check]

EDIT: Quoted wrong post

 

[Prof123]

They have a point, though. The Mavs are like an 8 game losing streak away from Doncic demanding a trade.

Or getting Kidd fired.

Or both.

Who is "they" and what point do you mean? What do those things you mention about Dallas and Doncic have to do with my post about Sexton?

 

[Heat Check]

Who is "they" and what point do you mean? What do those things you mention about Dallas and Doncic have to do with my post about Sexton?

Oops! Quoted the wrong post. My bad

 

[chuck0609]

I don’t think that can be addressed this season unless we do some major trading.

I don’t want to do any major trading. Hopefully Dan doesn’t attempt to hijack the process. Keep your assets and, if a blockbuster is available to jump into at the deadline, participate.
This young core is just getting started- don’t do anything to jeopardize it. They have no idea what the ceiling is for this group. Three 7 footers, 2 of which are high end defenders. A PG who is getting better each year.
Patience.

 

[Dr. Claw]

We need more shooting. It has to be said again and again.

When just one guy who can actually hit the broad side of the barn goes down, we're suddenly trotting out lineups with THREE non-shooters. That's a no-no in the modern NBA. It happened against the Mavs with Cedi out, and while we had what was essentially a perfect game by the guys who were available, the cracks were showing.

Rubio, Okoro, Mobley, Stevens and Allen cannot be counted on in any way to make shots currently. That's a lot to make up for Lauri, Love and Garland. And Darius has been less than stellar lately in that department himself.

I agree, but I don't know where extra shooting is going to come from. I'm not really with a trade unless the Cavs get a homerun hitter in return. If the Cavs end up in a situation where you don't have a backup PG like last year the team might as well go back to tanking. I kind of wish the Cavs used those bottom of the bench slots for players of some utility (Ed Davis was a good pickup but the meme team gotta go back to the Charge)

 

[ryanf]

the shooters will come. this offseason the team tried to sign several wing shooters but they all declined. now, with the play and record the cavs have? mid-level veteran shooters can be had just because they know the cavs have something going on.

 

[weepinwillow]

the shooters will come. this offseason the team tried to sign several wing shooters but they all declined. now, with the play and record the cavs have? mid-level veteran shooters can be had just because they know the cavs have something going on.

I don't know how long you've followed the Cavs, but signing players MLE, UFA, Max, Min.. not exactly our strong suit. In fact, Laurie Markkanen should be looked at as an absolute coup for the Cavs in terms of signing a free agent. Gonna need to develop one or trade for one.

 

[Dr No]

I like where this discussion is going - we are actually talking about what kind of playoff team we might be! I never would have thought that would be realistic possibility 1/4 of the way through the season.

That said, the only way to know is to get there and see. Can Garland stand up to the tougher d and intensity? Will our lack of shot creators and makers catch up to us? Will Laurie’s lack of quickness get exposed at the 3? What does the rookie do when he’s game planned against over a series? Can our bench stand up against other benches? How do all of our young guys respond to the bright lights of a series?

You never know until you get there. Playoff series always reveal things that aren’t clear in the regular season. The good news for us is there is a good chance for us to get there and start finding these things out a year or two sooner than expected.

 

[bigfoot5415]

The future is ridiculously bright. Like stupid bright, potential decade of incredible basketball. One thing that next to no one is talking about is that there will be a significant cap spike in 2025 & the Cavs are poised to take advantage of it. The best part is, we have pieces now that are competing on their rookie deals.

The current TV deal is set to expire in 2025. As of right now, the annual income from TV is $2.7B. With the expectation to be worth $8B in 2025. You are going to see max contracts north of $50M per year, guys getting $300M over that deal; I am talking some real crazy shit. By all accounts the cap is expected to be $175M in 2025.

How much does that benefit us? A fuck ton. Sexton, Garland, Okoro (if he is a long term piece) will all be locked into deals that expire into the next deal. Collin could sign a 5 year deal and we would get two seasons (I expect him to play for the QO next year). Darius could sign one & we would get 2 seasons. Okoro will likely be "cheap" under a new deal, with 3 years. Allen, just 1 year, but it gives us flexibility due to his salary if we need to go get a big piece that year (like how the Warriors could get Durant). Mobley will get a huge max under the new deal; so much that I could see him being the highest rookie extension ever.

Not everyone will play ball, but if we are successful over the next 4 seasons; I think guys will take the bag and allow themselves to hit FA in their late 20s to lock in more wealth. Some guys may test RFA, but I think having Allen & now likely Collin cheap (even if he's a 6th man) will be huge. Hopefully people look at Oladipo & Cousins as caution tales & take the guaranteed deals. All of this gets better if players are less than maxed (especially rookie maxed) & extended during their rookie contract vs signed at FA.

Any 1st round talent we add the next few drafts will obviously be a huge come up for us when the new deal kicks in. We will be cooking with gas while everyone is trying to rub 2 sticks together.

 

[inliner311]

Starting to think we need to trade for or draft a shooting guard more than a small forward

I think if we want to create more lineup flexibility we still want a small forward more than a shooting guard. Even if it's a shooting guard that can play SF. I'd much rather have a solid SF that can play SG or PF. There will be teams that will run our 3 7 footer lineup off the floor with quicker wings. I think we will want a SF to be able to counter when teams put more wings on the floor.

I think the Mavs wanted to try to match up with the Cavs instead of trying to push JBB to move off of the 3 7 footer lineup. The Mavs don't really have the wing depth to exploit us.

 

[Prof123]

I think if we want to create more lineup flexibility we still want a small forward more than a shooting guard. Even if it's a shooting guard that can play SF. I'd much rather have a solid SF that can play SG or PF. There will be teams that will run our 3 7 footer lineup off the floor with quicker wings. I think we will want a SF to be able to counter when teams put more wings on the floor.

I think the Mavs wanted to try to match up with the Cavs instead of trying to push JBB to move off of the 3 7 footer lineup. The Mavs don't really have the wing depth to exploit us.

Perhaps, but what we really need (whether we call him a SG or SF) is an athletic wing to counter really athletic teams. Okoro can do that as an undersized SF, but we lose scoring. Osman (and perhaps Windler) have the size to play SF, and they can shoot, but they don't have the athleticism to address the need you mention.

If teams start "running us off the floor" in transition, we may not be able to use three 7 footers, but that hasn't happened yet, because they are all reasonably athletic. Markkanen may not be able to keep those athletic SF from getting past him to the paint, but his height keeps them from shooting over him, and if/when they get past him, they have Mobley and Allen waiting at the rim. There aren't many guys (Sexton is one) in the league who can blow past their man at the 3-point line and then pull up for the mid-range, but that would be one way to attack our Tri-Towers defense.